A crude oil delivery line belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company crossing Afiesere- Iwhrenene communities in Ughelli North Council Area of Delta State has been blown up by suspected militants.

A militant group, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred at about 1am on Tuesday.

The spokesperson for the militant group, Aldo Agbalaja, confirmed the development in a statement sent to our correspondent.

The group, which is simply called Greenland, threatened further attacks while disclosing that Tuesday’s attack was carried out as part of ‘Operation Crocodile Tears’, a planned series of attacks on oil facilities, which it declared earlier.

It said, “As a mark of our faith to totally grounding the Nigerian oil economy, the gallant “Opudo” strike forces brought down the Afiesere- Iwhrenene major delivery line in Ughelli North, leading to the UPS/UQCC operated by NPDC/SHORELINES at about 1am today 13th september 2016.

“The Niger Delta is not a conquered territory and our people have never succumbed to intimidation before, rather we match force with the oppressor’s brutality.

“The Nigerian government should already know that the people of this part are not fools, who will not be able to see when they are being treated with disdain.”

The militant group reiterated its call to those living and working around oil companies within the upland region of the Niger Delta to vacate such premises to avoid being injured during attacks.

Warning that it was running out of patience with such people, the group said, “For the last time, leave these areas if you live around them and if you love your lives.” -PUNCH